if i take the sentimentality out of it, the most overrated synth i've ever owned was a minimoog model D.

yes, nothing else sounds like it and it changed my world but IMHO it's far from the holy grail of sounds i seek nowadays.

i can feel the hatred and disdain already...

ha, all good. i can gear the trolls coming now….. but yeah, everything is subjective… and as good as the old model d is, as it is a constant reference point, that makes it overrated by definition because it is held on such a pedestal, no other way around it.

Overrated: I don't know nearly enough about "all the synths" to even state an opinion on this thread. Even the ones I own, I own for a reason, and I can't say any of them are overrated.

However, I do think there are many synths that are overpriced. I base price on comparing electronic features and software features to other products.

Overpriced. The two that come to mind are:

1) Roland X0X range (esp. SH-101)
2) Access Virus range

I would buy an Access Virus, but I think there are VSTs which go for 1/8th of the price that can do the job. Remembering that the Access Virus is a DSP Digital synth that simulates analog (VA) - and there are plenty of VSTs that can do this. Whilst they have done a fantastic job with the synth - it is waaaay overpriced for what it is. Yep, I'm jealous of those who have spent their money and purchased one - but I can't justify that kind of money on essentially software.

Overrated: I don't know nearly enough about "all the synths" to even state an opinion on this thread. Even the ones I own, I own for a reason, and I can't say any of them are overrated.

However, I do think there are many synths that are overpriced. I base price on comparing electronic features and software features to other products.

Overpriced. The two that come to mind are:

1) Roland X0X range (esp. SH-101)
2) Access Virus range

I would buy an Access Virus, but I think there are VSTs which go for 1/8th of the price that can do the job. Remembering that the Access Virus is a DSP Digital synth that simulates analog (VA) - and there are plenty of VSTs that can do this. Whilst they have done a fantastic job with the synth - it is waaaay overpriced for what it is. Yep, I'm jealous of those who have spent their money and purchased one - but I can't justify that kind of money on essentially software.

I agree. I would never spend another dime on any digital synth. Zebra can do so much more than the Virus (and you can have as many instances open as your CPU can manage). I definitely understand the advantages of having physical controls to tweak, but not for over 2 grand, or even $200 honestly.

I agree. I would never spend another dime on any digital synth. Zebra can do so much more than the Virus (and you can have as many instances open as your CPU can manage). I definitely understand the advantages of having physical controls to tweak, but not for over 2 grand, or even $200 honestly.

I agree with this to an extent.

whether a synth is analog or digital, when it comes to buying hardware if there is something exceptional about its user interface and it has something which isn't necessarily done better in software, then I feel it is worth owning. otherwise I'd much rather save my money and space.

my V-Synth is a good example of this. it has one of the most brilliantly designed UI's I've ever used and although Alchemy is a bit like it, the V-Synth is yet a very unique synth. the same goes for my Z1 as there is really nothing else like it. when it comes to my JP-8080 things get a bit more difficult to justify and really all it has going for it is its very enjoyable hands-on control, otherwise there are apps and plug-ins that can effectively replace it.

but yes, in general one could say that most digital hardware is overrated. whether running on a computer or in a dedicated box, it is still little more than an arrangement of zeroes and ones.

I never understood the Wavestation. I had one in late 90's, never bonded.
I even gave it a second change few years back with the vst, and while I was impressed to hear a classic rompler in virtual format, I still didn't get it. :(

So, I just returned from picking up a Roland Jupiter 8. Is it pricey? Yes. Is it rare? Extremely. Is it overrated? HELLNO! Well, I'll start by saying it kicks the VST's ass all day, without trying to. The problem, I think is this, it's not like you can run down to guitar center and try one out. It is a massive sounding synth. I'll report more in the coming days, maybe post a video, too. I'm happy, so far!

You are just experiencing the excitement that accompanies GAS and the receipt of any new synth. There were only about 2,000 JP-8 synths manufactured. If it was such a magnificent keeper, it would not be resold again and again and again and again. But sooner or later the owner looks beyond the rainbow colored controls and the decades of wear on the case only to realize the JP-8 is not as worthwhile as expected. Then he sells it and moves on to the next thing, which sometimes include talk about if he can just get a Waldorf Wave, it will be all he ever needs. Enjoy the fun while it lasts. It will be over before you know it. Might as well order a new copy of the Sweetwater catalog and refresh your eBay links because the JP-8 ownership is temporary for most users.

This thread is pointless , I dare to say that no one in this thread will name a synthesizer that they actually own.
"Yes I played it a couple of years ago it was totally overrated..."
So I don´t own a Synthex ...so the Synthex will be the most overrated synthesizer in my ears due to its DCO´s instead of VCO´s
Regarding the Jupiter8...well...if you play that synth with good monitors...you can hear and feel the pure top notch quality...beautiful harmonics , beautiful sound , fits perfect in a mix.

Exactly. I just picked one up. It sounds pretty fing amazing! Most people have probably never played a real one. It kills the VST all freaking day.

You are just experiencing the excitement that accompanies GAS and the receipt of any new synth. There were only about 2,000 JP-8 synths manufactured. If it was such a magnificent keeper, it would not be resold again and again and again and again. But sooner or later the owner looks beyond the rainbow colored controls and the decades of wear on the case only to realize the JP-8 is not as worthwhile as expected. Then he sells it and moves on to the next thing, which sometimes include talk about if he can just get a Waldorf Wave, it will be all he ever needs. Enjoy the fun while it lasts. It will be over before you know it. Might as well order a new copy of the Sweetwater catalog and refresh your eBay links because the JP-8 ownership is temporary for most users.

Furthermore, if the Jupiter 8 was overrated all hype, well, someone forgot to tell the prices they are going for. They only made 2000 of them, apparently. So, I strongly doubt that, with that being said, many people have actually played them, and are going by 1. Regurgitated parrot shit, that they have read, 2. Basing their opinions off the VST, 3. Jealousy.

If you want that "JP-8" sound then you it may be priceless for you. I have to agree with you about the VSTs because I've compared my P5 to some of the emulation and in general the digital synths fall apart in the 15k Hz and above frequency range. I know that JP-8 excels in the treble and high-midrange regions, especially when you need to fill that spectrum when producing a song. The prices of 10k$ are ridiculous and at that price, the JP-8 is overrated.

You are just experiencing the excitement that accompanies GAS and the receipt of any new synth. There were only about 2,000 JP-8 synths manufactured. If it was such a magnificent keeper, it would not be resold again and again and again and again. But sooner or later the owner looks beyond the rainbow colored controls and the decades of wear on the case only to realize the JP-8 is not as worthwhile as expected. Then he sells it and moves on to the next thing, which sometimes include talk about if he can just get a Waldorf Wave, it will be all he ever needs. Enjoy the fun while it lasts. It will be over before you know it. Might as well order a new copy of the Sweetwater catalog and refresh your eBay links because the JP-8 ownership is temporary for most users.

We will see. There are not that many being sold. Where do you get your data, to prove ownership is short lived?

If you want that "JP-8" sound then you it may be priceless for you. I have to agree with you about the VSTs because I've compared my P5 to some of the emulation and in general the digital synths fall apart in the 15k Hz and above frequency range. I know that JP-8 excels in the treble and high-midrange regions, especially when you need to fill that spectrum when producing a song. The prices of 10k$ are ridiculous and at that price, the JP-8 is overrated.

A few of these synths will be the "hemis" of the synth world. They only made 2000 of them. I wouldn't be surprised to see one go for 50k - 100k one day.

while it could be said that because it's been resold a lot that it's somehow not a "keeper" many have probably stayed in the same hands for a long time as well. what do you expect for a 30+ yr old synth anyway. not everyone can afford to keep such an investment, regardless of how much they like it, and for some, the investment is not worth the practical value it gives them. it won't magically make your music better or anything like that. there's many people who have bought, sold, and re-bought them, many are driven to sell due to financial circumstances and not because they want to.

for me, it's half musical and half the technical aspect, repairing it, maintaining it, how it works, but I am like that with all my synths, not just the jp8. no one can question the fact it's a flagship piece of roland analog engineering, and for that I have a lot of respect for it. owning one is only going to be of value to the people who can appreciate it for what it is and what it isn't.